The Importance of farm machinery inspections

AGRICULTURE has the poorest record of any industry in Britain. Statistics show that 3 3 people were killed in agriculture across Britain in 2 0 1 7 /1 8 ‐around 1 8 times higher than the all industry fatal injury rate.

Every year, people are killed or injured on farms because of poorly maintained, defective or inappropriately used machinery and equipment. All businesses, including farms, share the same statutory responsibilities, to ensure that the equipment they use is safe and systems of work adequate. FUW Insurance Services is able to arrange on‐

site inspections of farm machinery that satisfy regulatory requirements.

The regulations that apply and farmers need to be aware of are:LOLER ‐ The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (1998)
PUWER ‐ Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (1 9 9 8 )PSSR ‐ Pressure Systems Safety Regulations

Nobody should ever be lifted in a Telehandler bucket, in a potato box, on the forks of a fork lift truck or similar attachment, to carry out work or

used as a means of access e.g. to get onto the roof of a building or bale stack.

Thorough examination is to protect both operators and other people in the vicinity of lifting operations who may be at risk if the lifting equipment suddenly fails. Equipment which lifts loads over, or in close proximity to people, should be thoroughly examined.

COSHH ‐ covers “Anything that removes harmful particulates from the working environment.”

Any machine that causes Dusty or fume‐laden air can cause lung diseases, e.g. in welders, quarry workers or woodworkers, Foundry workers and any form of work that involves paint spraying. People who work in grain silos also fall into this category.

Farmers are being told they must pay closer attention to how they manage workplace risk or face serious penalties.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will shortly begin a programme of inspections reviewing health and safety standards on farms across the country.

The inspections will ensure those responsible for protecting themselves and workers are doing the right things to comply with the law and prevent death, injury and ill‐health. If they are not HSE will not hesitate to use enforcement to bring about improvements.

Throughout the inspection initiative, inspectors will be checking that risks are being controlled in specific areas including:
• Machinery

• Falls from height
• Children
• Livestock
The initiative follows a series of compliance events that were developed as a result of research into farmer’s attitudes to risk and aimed at changing behaviours in the industry.

Farmers in our area were given the opportunity to attend one of these events, paid for by HSE, to help them comply with the law and prepare for their inspections. HSE is now following up to make sure that all farms in the area are doing the right thing.

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Llais ffermwyr Cymru - The voice of Welsh farming.
Welsh Farmer is the Farmers’ Union of Wales journal published during the first week of every month. The role of Welsh Farmer is to inform farmers and keep them up-to-date with the latest news affecting their livelihoods. Welsh Farmer publication is sent to 7,000 FUW members and prominent decision-makers throughout Wales and beyond. Welsh Farmer has the highest circulation of any farming journal in Wales.
Welsh Farmer has unrivaled coverage of the livestock industry in Wales and the sheep industry in particular.